Skopje, 6 April 2023 (MIA) — Infrastructure projects had been bogged down so more people were needed to help speed them up and there was no political agenda behind First Deputy Prime Minister Artan Grubi's being appointed Corridor VIII construction coordinator, Deputy Prime Minister of Economic Affairs Fatmir Bytyqi said in a TV appearance on Thursday evening.

In an interview for Telma TV's 'Win Win,' Deputy PM Bytyqi said this duty was newly assigned to a deputy prime minister so they could speed up the implementation of a project – but the Ministry of Transport and Communications was still in charge.

"We agree that infrastructure projects are progressing too slowly so there is a need for everyone to make every effort. There is no hidden agenda. Not only Grubi, but any other minister who wants to help speed up activities important for the public may be nominated to shoulder some of the responsibilities.

"This is a new assignment given to one deputy prime minister to help some processes, although the primary responsibility for all infrastructure projects rests with the Ministry of Transport," Bytyqi said.

He also said he had not attended the government meeting Wednesday when Grubi was appointed Corridor VIII construction coordinator.

According to Bytyqi, Grubi's new assignment does not imply that DUI is involved.

"If it were a DUI project," he said, "then why was this not done during the time of VMRO, but it happening when SDSM is in power? Since SDSM and DUI came to power, the government has placed the public interest first and not party interests." 

"Which is why I am saying that this is a project for citizens to get the services they deserve," the deputy PM in charge of economic affairs said. mr/